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S Jaishankar America News: Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. During this, he expressed his concern about the delay in getting American visas to Indians. ,read more
Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar also expressed concern over the delay in visas in his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (File photo- PTI)
highlights
- Foreign Minister Jaishankar expressed concern over the delay in US visas for Indians.
- Also clarified the stand regarding Indian citizens living illegally in the US.
- There was discussion on strengthening relations between Jaishankar and Rubio.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is on a tour of America these days. Here in Washington on Tuesday he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During this, he expressed his concern regarding the delay in the visa process. Marco Rubio was appointed US Secretary of State by US President Donald Trump, returning to the White House for the second time.
Jaishankar told Rubio that India supports legal mobility, but illegal immigration and related activities are neither desirable nor appropriate.
Jaishankar was speaking to reporters at the Indian Embassy in Washington, where he gave information about the meeting with his American counterpart Rubio and the meeting of Quad foreign ministers.
India ready to take back its citizens
Foreign Minister Jaishankar, while clarifying India’s stand on this issue, said, ‘We are supporters of legal mobility and want that talented people of India should get more opportunities at the global level. We are against illegal immigration and mobility, because other illegal activities are also associated with it. This is neither desirable nor good.
He said that India has always taken the stand that if an Indian citizen is living abroad illegally, then India is ready for his legal return. He said, ‘Our stand has always been that if any of our citizens is not there legally, then we are ready for legal return. There is a debate going on on this, but our stand is clear on this issue.
On the number of deportations of illegal Indians from America, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said, ‘We have seen some numbers, but I want to caution you about their number (18000), because we have to verify that they are Indians.’
Concern expressed over delay in visa
Dr. Jaishankar also raised the issue of delay in the visa process during his conversation with US Secretary of State Rubio. He said that if it takes 400 days to get the visa, it will become a hindrance in taking forward the relations between the two countries in the right way.
Jaishankar said, ‘We have requested the US Secretary of State to ensure legal and easy mobility for mutual benefit. Due to delay in visa, it will not be possible to save relations in a better way.
The US Foreign Minister also took cognizance of Jaishankar’s words and assured to take appropriate steps in this direction. This discussion on issues like legal mobility, prevention of illegal immigration and improvement in visa process between the two countries is being considered important towards further strengthening India-US relations.
January 22, 2025, 23:40 IST
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